President issues ban on texting for federal employees Published Oct. 8, 2009 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Barack Obama signed an order Oct. 1 banning federal workers from text messaging while driving on official business or using government vehicles. "With nearly 3 million civilian employees, the Federal Government can and should demonstrate leadership in reducing the dangers of text messaging while driving," President Obama wrote in the order. The order defines text messaging as "reading from or entering data into any handheld or other electronic device, including for the purpose of SMS texting, e-mailing, instant messaging, obtaining navigational information, or engaging in any other form of electronic data retrieval or electronic data communication." The president cited text messaging as a direct cause to recent deadly crashes and issued a federal government-wide prohibition on texting while driving a government-owned vehicle or a personal vehicle while on official government business or when using electronic equipment supplied by the government while driving. "A Federal Government-wide prohibition on the use of text messaging while driving on official business or while using Government-supplied equipment will help save lives, reduce injuries, and set an example for State and local governments, private employers, and individual drivers," the president wrote.